Saturday, July 5, 2008

Going Apes . . . Going, Going, Gone?

According to Wired News, a recent study reports that the Orangutan populations of Borneo and Sumatra are "declining precipitously" -- dire news, indeed, for the animal kingdom and the world ecosystem at large. What are the implications for all of mankind of our distant cousin (according to evolutionary theory, at least) vanishes off the face of the earth? More importantly, what are the implications for the delicate balance of biology on the two islands where these creatures reside?

Sure, you sit back in your armchairs and think, "Well, no more fluffy orange misfits on Animal Planet, but the baboons can fill in just fine." One monkey/ape is the same as another, right? They all swing by their tails from the trees, pick nits off each other, and fling poo -- so what's one species more or less?

Ah, but dear reader, the orangutan is distinguished from other great apes for its great intelligence! It is no lesser ape/monkey swinging by its tail playfully in the garden of life. It is second only to humans in the area of intelligence (yes, smarter than chimps, folks!), using tools for varied purposes and even possessing the capacity to engage in symbolic activity when instructed to do so. These amazing creatures reside primarily in the wild of the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo -- and as most of us are aware, there is a rainforest deforestation problem. Away go the rainforests, and away go the habitats (homes) of many of the lifeforms sustained therein. Including the fabulous orangutans.

According to an article from World Observer in 2007, orangutans may be extinct by 2012 due to logging and palm oil plantations in the rainforests. Ironically enough, the article explains that the world's focus on saving the environment from carbon emissions (insofar as using palm oil as a substitute for more noxious substances) may cost the planet one of its greatest species. Life is certainly a balancing act -- and maintaining the balance requires careful attention to the needs of all species, not just humankind.

Now, I certainly care about our planet. It's my home, and I'd like the planet to sustain life as long as possible. I don't profess to have the answers, though, or to be a die-hard environmentalist. Or maybe I am. I believe that the earth around us is one of the most precious gifts we are given, and it is our privilege and responsibility to nurture and care for the other lifeforms on this planet -- animal, vegetable, and mineral. As humans and the highest intellectual-functioning creatures, we are endowed with great power -- and like Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility.

The riches of this planet are not ours to rip out and plunder for our gain. Rather, we need to seek ways to live in sync with lesser forms of life, to nurture and care for the gifts of our planet and give back to them -- so that they continue to give their gifts to us. Perhaps I'm a romantic, an idealist. I believe we can make great strides in environmental safekeeping if each person takes a few small steps at a time:

* educate yourself -- "It's never too late" -- check out Everyday Activist for small steps or visit one of the 100 Top Environment Sites

* get involved -- volunteer for one of the many "green" organizations in your local area and start helping to spread the word to friends and family about small steps they can take

Tackling big problems is about perspective: if you look at the problem in terms of how huge it is and how hard it is for one person to make an impact, yes, that's true. It's hard, but not impossible. If you don't try, though, it's impossible. One person chipping away in small but dedicated strokes will have an effect over time. One person who gets others involved in chipping away in many places will have a major impact rather quickly. We all need to take small steps and we'll be amazed at the difference we can make -- together. For the sake of our future!

Save the monkeys. Yes, I know they're apes. But I love monkeys. After all, monkeybusiness is my business!

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